AAP: THE Queensland government has described Brisbane NRL star Ezra Mam’s penalty for drug driving as “disgraceful” and will now consider law changes.
A backlash over NRL star Ezra Mam’s “disgraceful” drug driving penalty has prompted the Queensland government to consider law changes.
Brisbane playmaker Mam was told he was lucky no one was killed after his “stupid” decision to drive unlicensed on a cocktail of drugs, including cocaine, ended in a head-on collision.
A magistrate on Monday chastised the 21-year-old over the October incident, fining him $850 and suspending his licence for six months.
No conviction was recorded.
The state government on Tuesday joined an outcry over the penalty for Mam, who re-signed with the Broncos in February on a five-year contract reportedly worth $4 million.
“I think it’s disgraceful,” Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told reporters.
“It was a slap on the wrist.”
Queensland’s Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the penalty for the cashed up five-eighth was less than a fine for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
“I can understand that for many Queenslanders, this outcome doesn’t pass the pub test,” she said in a statement.
“Most Queenslanders would expect that the penalty for a driver who’s found to have drugs in their system would be more severe than the penalty for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.”
Ms Frecklington confirmed she would be considering legislation changes in light of Mam’s penalty.
“I will be consulting with my colleagues, in particular the transport minister, and considering what changes can be made to our laws,” she said.
Mam was charged after driving a Ford Ranger that struck a Toyota Camry travelling in the opposite direction in Bardon, in Brisbane’s inner west, on October 18.
The crash caused minor injuries to occupants of the other vehicle.
Mam told police at the scene he knew his licence had been suspended because of lost demerit points.
He failed a roadside drug test before returning a positive result to a secondary test.
Mam pleaded guilty on Monday to driving while a relevant drug is present in blood and driving without a licence.
He read a statement outside court, telling reporters he was deeply remorseful and would work on being a better person.
Mam is at risk of an NRL ban and fine, with the integrity unit reportedly set to finalise its investigation.
